Pro: Weight-loss procedure can relieve variety of health issues

By the numbers

The mortality rate from bariatric surgery is about .1 percent, while the rate of serious early complications is 5 percent, according to a 2012 F1000 medical report. Long-term issues are relatively uncommon and can usually be managed with vitamin supplements.

Bariatric surgery results in weight loss and also often reverses chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and severe arthritis.